Page 88 of Flowers Near Me

Persephone searched her memory. “It was sudden. My limbs went numb, and then… nothing.”

Hades and Charon exchanged a tense look, and he turned back to her, his jaw clenched.

Had Hades orchestrated this?

His schemes weren’t always harmless, and she couldn’t ignore the unease creeping into her mind. It was a ridiculous, fleeting thought but it still gave her pause in that moment.

Hecate appeared in a burst of sandalwood-scented smoke. “You’re awake. Good.” She knelt beside Persephone. “Mind if I check for lingering magic?”

Persephone shook her head, and Hecate’s energy washed over her, soothing and warm. When Hecate pulled back, her frown deepened. “Nothing. No trace of poison. Maybe your own magic is to blame.”

Persephone’s hands clenched. “You think it’s me?”

Hecate sighed. “Magic can be unpredictable. But if you believe someone harmed you, trust your instincts.”

Persephone glanced at Hades, his face an unreadable mask. “Did you do this?” The question slipped out, heavy with suspicion.

His eyes widened, genuine hurt flashing across his features. “Never. I’d never risk you.”

The raw vulnerability in his voice cracked something inside her. But trust was fragile, and she wasn’t ready to let it take root. “I want to believe you,” she whispered.

Hades took her hand, his touch warm and steady. “Then let me prove it.”

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

WHEN PASSION GROWS

PERSEPHONE

Several days later, headaches turned into migraines and dizziness into unexpected falls. Meanwhile, Hades continued on with the press tour, leaving the apartment empty most days, except for Cerberus and Charon. She felt sorry for him. His face twisted in worry each time he said goodbye before leaving. She reassured him that she’d be fine, but the pallor of his skin betrayed his distress. It was clear he cared about her, and she was finding it easier to trust him and his intentions with her.

The mornings were the worst, with joints screaming from disuse and a head sloshing with a congestion that wouldn’t clear. Simple remedies like rest and water failed to bring relief. It was as if her body raged war against her, and she was not the victor.

After a shower, Persephone trudged to the kitchen and found a note from Hades along with a warm cup of tea, honey, and lemon slices.

My love, Sephy,

Sorry I had to run out again this morning. I’ll be back with a basket of pastries and egg sandwich before you finish your tea. Can’t wait to spend the rest of the day with you.

Your future husband and favorite fellow god,

Hades

Her cheeks heated, and a smile broke out on her face as she folded the note and stashed it in her pocket. She’d add it to the collection of messages he’d penned while she’d lived there. It’d be an adjustment when she’d go back to her mom’s estate where there was no handsome god to leave her love letters or run his fingers through her hair.

Somehow, he’d become a staple in her life, accompanying her when she worked out, procuring food at any hour of the day or night—regardless of how busy he was. She hadn’t cooked anything herself beyond the loukoumades Laura and she had made a week ago. Even before then, the most she did in the kitchen was make coffee or tea.

She took the tray her cup and tea accompaniments sat on and placed it on a low coffee table next to the strange looking reading cushion Hades had bought after the night she’d passed out.

You need to rest, even during the day, so why not take up reading?He’d suggested when he showed her the new low, ergonomic chair in the living room. It was an unusual piece of furniture with thousands of reviews claiming it helped keep the reader’s posture intact during hours of reading.

Sadly, the chair had gotten a lot of use that past week. Simple tasks caused migraines or triggered uncontrolled muscle cramps. Laura’s dad, Dr. Asclepius, ruled out natural health issues and Hecate couldn’t discern problems with her magic. Charon pushed several events out in hopes of Persephone recovering soon. But Persephone had grown so frustrated with her inability to fulfill her work obligations, that she was ready to have Hades hold her body upright at events even if she collapsed.

The pleasant scent of cedar filled the room as Hades appeared in the kitchen holding a brown cardboard box big enough to fit a sleeping Cerberus. It was a relief to have Hades’ help even if she hated feeling helpless. She trusted him to care for her and felt bad she’d thought that maybe he’d poisoned her at the influencer event. But she remembered what it was like growing up with her mom. Gods could be fickle and use you as a means to an end. It seemed like the only end that Hades truly cared about was one spent with her.

“Little goddess, I hope you’re hungry because the chef said they taste best when they’re fresh.” He set the box on the counter, threw her a wink over his shoulder, then started pulling out pastries.

Mug in hand, Persephone watched him plate the goodies on a tray.

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